Amid understaffed floors, routine overtime calls and compromised care quality, nearly 83% of nursing professionals are concerned about the profession’s state, according to a report released today by nurse staffing firm IntelyCare. The report cited a few reasons:

• Considering a career shift. Nearly 77% of nursing professionals are contemplating a job change in 2024, with 45% considering leaving the profession entirely.
• Staffing challenges. 46% of nursing professionals regularly work in understaffed environments, with 84% covering additional shifts weekly and 19% daily.
• Safety and support. 28% feel unsafe at their job, while 39% feel unsupported.
• Patient care dynamics. 63% of registered nurses and 76% of certified nursing assistants reported they were responsible for nine or more patients on a regular shift.

“We all know what the proper ratios for safe staffing are in our various settings. The fact that so many clinicians are caring for well over these recommended limits is very detrimental to patients,” Lynn Barry, VP of clinical operations at IntelyCare, said in a press release.

“These are nurses and aides who entered the profession to impact patient care but now find themselves enduring longer work hours and heavier workloads,” Barry said. “The guilt that comes with not giving patients the time and attention they deserve takes a real emotional toll on nurses. And when you have a workforce that is motivated to provide quality care, you can’t expect to retain them if you’re hindering that.”

The survey also showed nurses’ dedication to their jobs, with “helping people” and “caring for patients” as the top two most meaningful parts of the job. Also, nearly 74% were hopeful they could spend more time talking to patients in 2024.

The study’s survey drew responses from 2,977 nursing professionals and partial responses from 2,035 nursing professionals in the US. It was conducted in December 2023.